Medal fury: The family responds

February 17, 2006

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HERO: Stephen Oake.

THE family of murdered detective Stephen Oake say he gave his life for his fellow officers - and not for any gallantry medal.

As the government faced mounting anger over its decision not to award the brave detective constable a posthumous George Cross, or indeed any other gallantry medal, his family responded to the snub with calm dignity. His father Robin said: "He would not have wanted any recognition, he was doing it for his colleagues."

He added: "Certainly his bravery needed some recognition and he got that of course at the Old Bailey trial.

"At the end of the day, as a Christian man, Steve's reward is in heaven."

The 40-year-old officer was stabbed to death as he tackled al Qaida terrorist Kamel Bourgass during a police raid on a Crumpsall flat in January 2003.

Attack

His selfless courage saved the lives of three fellow officers and helped avert a terrorist attack on Britain which could have claimed hundreds of lives.

But it emerged yesterday that the Cabinet Office had decided to turn down his nomination for a posthumous George Cross.

The M.E.N, which has been inundated with comments from readers angry at the decision, can reveal that the officer will now be honoured with a commendation from the Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police instead.

A police spokesman said: "Det Con Stephen Oake will receive a posthumous Commendation from Greater Manchester Police's Chief Constable, Michael Todd. Other police officers involved in the same operation are also being considered for an award."

Baffled

Colleagues and friends are said to be baffled and angered by the George Cross committee's decision. One police source said: "Everyone who was at the flat the night of the tragedy will be devastated."

GMP recommended Det Con Oake be considered for the highest non-military honour. But the committee, chaired by Sir Gus O'Donnell, ruled his actions had not been "greater than the call of duty requires".

As well as being turned down for the George Cross, Det Con Oake was also denied a string of lesser medals including the George Medal "for gallantry of an extremely high order", the Queen's Gallantry Medal "for gallantry of a high order" and the Queen's Commendation for Bravery "entailing risk to life and meriting national recognition".

Critics

The snub has also attracted criticism from senior politicians. Shadow Home Secretary David Davis called the decision "bureaucratic", while Sir Nicholas Winterton, the Conservative MP for Det Con Oake's home town of Poynton, said he was "sad and disappointed".

Tony Blair will not be intervening in the row, said a Number 10 spokesman. Paul Kelly, chairman of the Greater Manchester Police Federation, said the decision was an "absolute insult" to the memory of Det Con Oake, who left a widow, Lesley, and three children.

Mrs Oake has not commented publicly on the decision but Mr Kelly said she had told him the award would have been a boost for their children.

DO you think Stephen Oake should be honoured for his bravery? Have your say.

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sam, rochdale (17/02/2006 at 09:21)

It just shows you what the government thinks of people who risk their lives everyday to secure ours. If someone loses their life in the line of duty they should automatically recieve the medal, its about time Tony Blair put his own people first , it is supposed to be Great Britain, whats so great?

John, Manchester (17/02/2006 at 10:02)

Fail to see the point of your post, seeing as his family have said that they don't want him to have the award as they say he himself wouldn't have wanted it.

Nick, Stockport (17/02/2006 at 10:53)

The George Cross is the highest civilian honour that can be awarded to anyone in this country. It should be reserved for acts of extreme bravery. Although Stephen Oake's death is very regrettable (and avoidable had he been issued with body armour), the situation does not justify the awarding of this honour. DC Oake was most unfortunate to be faced with a criminal who was intent to kill and he did not have time to protect himself. Unless we want to say every police officer, fire-fighter and other public servants who die on duty gets this honour, which will just devalue the medal. There is a reason why less than 400 people have been awarded the GC. His family clearly recognises this so it is unclear to see where this so called anger is coming from.

Colin W, Stockholm (17/02/2006 at 13:08)

Do what many people have woken up to since 1997 and see what Britian has become - a PC obsessed, minority drum banging haven for the workshy, criminals and yobs - The hands of decent people have been tied by lack of action of this government to put the public first - which can be seen after the Martin "protect your own home" fiasco.

The answer emigrate as the grass can be greener on the other side.

Forces family, Manchester (17/02/2006 at 13:18)

My son is jobless and safe now, perhaps as a person not in the armed forces after many years. Having any kind of safety equpment does not guarantee survival. In our times there is no such thing as a safe job, but some are more unsafe than others. My fears of seeing a coffin on an aircraft coming home will no longer be. But here we have a job my son could do and I would be reluctant to have him again in harms way when there is a section of community and public that undervalues the risks of everyday unseen dangers.

The world when Stephen died went on, it went on eating, sleeping and feeling safe. And knowing men and boys like the servicement who got the highest award in action, they too see it as 'part of the job'.

This is the crux of it in the words..... the committee, chaired by Sir Gus O'Donnell, ruled his actions had not been "greater than the call of duty requires".

I disagree. His actions were in preventing the greatest loss of life by the taking of his own, knowing the risks and not knowing the risks to himself. Even with body armour the blade or implement could have severed major arteries, or worse this man could have got loose in Hyde Park, the campuses on university, or a major public place and took hostages. All things a forces mother knows are in the minds of those who fear and have served in any uniformed service.

What is feared is that every uniformed person might be an embassador for valour in what is an administration that said it fervently applauded such actions of individuals.

A job is executing ones job in the hours paid, it is not when exposed to induced terrorism by affilliations with other nations, and the onset of bringing the danger to our doorstep with the milk. Stephen was the son of someones mother. He did not deserve and does not deserve to die as one only doing a job.

Derek Bowyer, middleton (17/02/2006 at 13:30)

Thats typical of this country we have the worst politichans in all parties they are not fit to lick Stephen Oake boots. for me he was the bravest of the brave, a great man and deserves the top honoures this county can give and to look after his family

Anon, Manchester (17/02/2006 at 14:36)

The question is if Mr Oake had known that the person inside had a gun, would he have gone in? The george cross is awarded to those who know the risks and perform a heroic act against the odds almost always knowing the are likely to die or come very close to it. Mr Oake I am sure was very good at his job a true proffesional but what makes this situation tragic is that he was not expecting to loose his life, it wasn't a sacrifice just a very tragic event.

Bootneck, Manchester (17/02/2006 at 16:29)

Didnt it come out in court that even though stabbed Stephen stopped his colleagues being attacked further?
If so..to all you knockers in your warm safe homes, put yourselves in that flat on a winters night, chaos and stabbed many times probibly thinking of his wife and children yet he kept hold of his attacker! Would you do the same?
Tony Blair was quick enough on the PR bandwagon to get to the funeral, where are his comments now?
Enough said!

PW, Manchester (17/02/2006 at 19:38)

Whatever the arguments. From tributes paid to this brave Police Officer by family, colleagues and friends, my opinion is that he needs no better accolade. He did what he felt was right at the time. If he had survived, he would have insisted that his fellow officers would have done the same for him. I'm sure his wife and family don't actually need him to receive that medal. Policemen have to face up to situations that the rest of us would run a mile from. We tend to take that for granted. This is all about a technicality, and Mr Oake's reputation stands above all this.

Susie, Scotland (17/02/2006 at 23:08)

I appreciate that the medal goes only to "outstanding acts of bravery and gallantry" (as opposed presumably to "run of the mill" bravery and gallantry!!! ) But the police, fire fighters, lifeboat crews and increasingly often paramedics, by the very nature of their work know that they may be killed on the job - which is protecting the public - any day of the year. They may not act on that presumption every waking minute - but my view is that knowing the risks their jobs entail and still getting up and getting on with it each day, makes them the quiet, unsung heroes that shine just as brightly as the one glorious act of courage - or maybe in some cases foolishness that turned out lucky! - that gets praised and feted.

Sandra K Haynes, Livingston,Texas (18/02/2006 at 02:47)

This man is a hero. No matter who "denies" this, no matter what medals he is Not given...the man still gave his all in the defense of the innocent... That is a fact.

Chris Clarke, Bue=rlington, Ontario (18/02/2006 at 05:47)

A fellow Bobby dies in the line of duty.
Yet the brass are more concerned with the fallout from "the Secret Policeman"
This man deserves a gong, his family deserve more than sympathy and the troops who serve with the GMP need to know that those who fall in the line of duty will be respected by the Home Office southern gits in Whitehall.
Nice message to the troops from our Bramshill leaders.

Carol Hayes, Auckland New Zealand (18/02/2006 at 09:12)

I am sure Stephen Oake was thinking only of doing the right and honorable thing and not for a moment considering any medal he may receive. However that doesn't mean his bravery shouldn't be recognised.

H.Potter, Chester Towers (18/02/2006 at 10:14)

Earlier comments suggested that if this would have happened in a London Borough the award would have been handed out, and further implied that GMP officers have been treated unfairly, just remember that in the New Years Honours list there were officers rewarded who have only done what they are supposed to do anyway!

Malcolm, USA (formally of salford Eng) (18/02/2006 at 22:35)

I wonder if mr. Odonnell has ever done anything brave in his life.....I doubt it, he has ptobably been a pen pusher all his life. perhaps he can show us all where it say's in the pelice manual wher it say's an offeicer has to die as part of his/her duty.

This officer most definatly deserves a medal and Blair should do something usefull for once in his life and intervene.

My heart goes out to this offeicers family.

John, Stockport (19/02/2006 at 00:13)

Irrespective if this officer receives an honour or not, it will not change the fact he is longer able to ensure the safety of the citizens and visitors to Manchester, like his family we must be equally as proud of him as are his family. He does not need a medal to prove he was brave. The very fact he was prepared to serve us as a police officer proves his bravery in itself.

Gregory Happy, Manchester (20/02/2006 at 07:14)

The British are good at whinging, but they have no balls to take any action. You only have yourselves to blame fore the state of this once great country

Mrs Merilyn Haslam, Stockport (20/02/2006 at 16:43)

I am amazed that awards are given to cricketers, pop stars etc but not to someone who died in the course of duty and by doing so saved the lives of others.

Mark Davison, Oldham (16/02/2007 at 14:12)

We were told by Tony Blair and George Bush that we are now engaged in a war against terrorism. DC Stephen Oake died as a result of this war, so how can the fact that he is 'only' a Policeman make any difference.
Hopefully common sense will prevail - the guy deserves the George Cross at the very least.

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